Standard drill is an essential tool for home improvement jobs like drilling a hole into glass. But what will happen if you don’t have a drill? That’s why one should know how to make a hole in glass without a drill.
Luckily our expert researchers made a list of way that allows making a hole in a glass without using a drill. Comparing power drills these methods are cost-efficient and don’t need much skill. Besides, the essentials required to complete the process are available in most homes and local stores.
Six best ways How to make a hole in glass without a drill
In this guide, we will explain the six best ways step by step so the reader can get a clear concept. The processes are:
Six types of different tools and materials needed to make a hole in glass. Those are soldering iron, duct tape with lighter, tapered file and kerosene, cutter, string with kerosene and carbide masonry bit with oil.
Each of the processes is simple and easy and doesn’t need any special requirement. Most importantly these are appropriate to make a hole in both glass bottles and flat glasses. Despite the visitor will learn about the precautionary measures and some relevant information from the article. So let’s read on!
Making a Hole in a Glass Bottle Using a Soldering Iron
If you don’t have a corded or cordless drill or don’t want to invest in it, still want to know how to make a hole in a glass bottle without a drill, the Soldering iron method will be the right answer. It’s an effective technique to make a larger hole like a mini hanging terrarium.
Accessories needed:
- Glass bottle
- Soldering iron
- Bottle scoring jig
Decide the area: Choose the curvy part of the glass bottle as it will make it easier to apply a bottle cutting jig to make a hole. It is also easier to begin cracking on that side than the plane edge of the glass bottle.
Beginning the Hole: Let’s hold the soldering irons tip at one point for a minute and then shift it a little. If you don’t find the hole after a few inches, stop the process. Heat up the scoreline from the other direction and continue the process. Make sure you are heating every spot a little longer until the split begins. Once the crack starts, keep pushing the soldering iron in that path. The crack will chase the tip as you will start moving the soldering iron. If it doesn’t move, heat the other side.
Cracking on corner: After finding the corner, push the soldering iron in the same way you want to crack. If the path is flat, the crack won’t face much trouble to chase the tip. The same things go for the curvy scoreline. But pay attention when making a sharp turn. It’s a bit harder to follow a tight angle applying the process. That’s why this technique isn’t good for making small holes.
Problem with Corners: After following a corner, a crack forms itself at the angle due to the heat of the bottle. The corner becomes the weak area.
Complete the hole: After finding both cracks ends nearly each other, they may end moving completely. If you experience this, try to separate the pieces. While making a hole remember that the ends of the crack will be sharp. It can be tough to remove the pieces since the cracks are still a bit joined. You will have to push it from the inside of the glass bottle.
How to make a hole in glass with a lighter and duck tape
It’s a common method that is taught to the kids in the school. However, it is most effective on the bottle but still works on flat glass.
Item requires:
- Duct tape
- A lighter
- Ball peen hammer
- A glass of cold water
- A thin nail
Cover the bottom of the bottle: First of all, cover the bottom of the bottle using duct tape. For the flat glasses, cover both sides in the point you want to make a hole.
Add some Water: Wet the surrounding areas to keep them from puncture. Since it will need to heat the point to make a hole, the water will keep the surrounding areas from the heat.
Heat the Tape: Now heat the desired circle using a lighter until it becomes extremely hot. Then hit the area firmly just once with a nail and ball peen hammer. Hopefully, you will have a hole in the glass. But if you can’t make it on the first attempt, then repeat the process once again.
Making a hole in glass using Tapered File and Kerosene
It’s a straightforward process that is excellent for any glass. But it needs a bit of time.
Item requires:
- A three-cornered tape file
- Kerosene or turpentine
Place the lubricant file against the glass: First, add some lubricant to the file tip. Then place the lubricant tip against the target part of the glass and gradually turn it.
Wait for a while: You will have to wait for a couple of minutes and finally discover a hole in the glass. If the file’s tip is much dry, then put in more oil. Even you can make a bit divot to ensure the tip in place when you will turn the file.
Using Glass Cutter to make a hole in the glass
Do some people ask how to drill a hole in the glass without a drill? A glass cutter will be a better option for them. Besides, it will help to make a larger hole in flat glass. However, the effectiveness depends on the user’s skill level. If you can’t make a perfect full circle hole, it will break the rest of the glass.
You can add some tape around the tape to reduce the amount of vibration. Cut the glass maintaining the circle and tap the middle of it until it cracks through.
String and Kerosene method
If you don’t know how to make a hole in the glass without a drill, especially in thicker glass, you can apply this method. This age-old string and kerosene technique work best on the thicker glass as well as bottles. Even, if you need to cut a glass bottle in half, still an effective method.
The essentials require:
- Kerosene
- An 8-inch long piece of string
- Matches
Prepare the hole: Find out where you want to make a hole in the class. Fasten the same size circle in the string that you want on the glass. Apply some kerosene on that part of the string. Now place the soaked string on the target area of the glass. Then Strike a match and fire the line.
Tapping the Glass: After burning the string for a few minutes, flick the glass in the string’s middle point. You can use a small screwdriver or a pen in terms of safety. This method will help you make a smaller hole even 2mm in diameter.
Making a hole in glass using Carbide Masonry Bit with Oil
You can apply this method to both glass bottles and flat glass. Items require:
For the bottle:
- Carbide masonry bit
- Oil
- Water
For a flat piece of glass
- Tape that you can easily peel off
- Oil
- Carbide masonry bit
It works in the same way for both types of glass. However the process takes a bit of time, but it works
For Flat Glass: Start with cover the surrounding area of the hole with tape. Make sure a 6-inch radius from the middle of the hole. The tape will help keep the vibrations at bay resulting in less risk of the glass cracking.
Now oil the tip of the bit and carefully push against the glass. Don’t make it in hurry and firmly as it can break the glass.
For Bottle: Start with filling the bottle with water to reduce the vibrations. The rest of the method is the same as flat glasses. Apply oil on the bit and press slowly against the glass. Make it carefully and have a hole in the glass.
Why people go for an alternative to make a hole without using a drill?
Some people prefer alternatives since they don’t have a power drill. Some folks apply alternative even after having a drill, as they don’t want to spend money on drill bit for one-time use.
Drilling glass needs the patient. You can’t make it quickly or slowly. It needs to ensure enough pressure. That’s why some people feel the alternatives easier than using a drill.
Safety measures you should take: Keep in mind, you’re puncturing glass. So you should think about a punctured piece. If you are making a hole inside of a bottle, there is nothing serious issue. Just fill the bottle with water and throw it into the garbage.
But if you are applying on flat glass, you should use fabric under it. Before starting any of the processes you should wear eye protective gear in case of safety.
FAQs Make a hole in glass without a drill
What is the best glass drill bit?
Carbide bit specially made for glass and tile. So drilling a hole using carbide bit on glass or mirror is straightforward. Besides, these drill bits are available at most home centers and on Amazon.
Can you drill a hole in the glass with a regular bit?
Or course, but it requires more practice and a better skill level to get it right. If you didn’t try it before, there is a chance of getting injured and breaking the glass.
Can you drill tempered glass?
You can’t drill tempered glass. So if you need a drilled tempered glass, you will have to drill it before the tempering process. Once getting tempered, there is no secret formula you can use to make a drill.
How to make a hole in a glass pipe?
Heal the target area for a few seconds using a torch or even a small jet fighter. Then blow into the oil burner to the heating spot and finally, you will find a hole in the glass.
Final words
In the end, you have some best piece of info from where you can choose the most preferred way to make a hole on glass. None of the methods demand a power drill to complete the process. Even all the methods are user-friendly, so people with any level of skill will find themselves comfortable. Finally, it is strongly recommended to wear safety tools before applying any of the processes.
